Customer Reviews

Tied to the Wheel

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Over the years, bar-band legend Bill Kirchen has certainly racked up plenty of hours on the road, first as the hotshot lead guitarist for Commander Cody's hard-edged hippiebilly bar band, the Lost Planet Airmen, and then as the tireless roadhouse troubadour we know and love today... So when he sings of the lure of the highway on songs like "Roll Truck Roll," and "Hillbilly Truck Drivin' Man," you can tell the guy knows what he's talking about. Kirchen's band is also one of the tightest, most versatile outfits in the alt.country scene today, and this is one of their best albums in years. The trucking theme continues on the title track and on the humorously post-apocalyptic "Truck Stop At The End of The World"... My favorite track may be his perky cover of Merle Haggard's "Prison Band," where a jailbreak is thwarted by a talent show audition. With three decades worth of touring and recording under his belt, Kirchen shows no sign of slowing down or losing his sense of adventure, which is good news for country fans in every town on the Interstate. Check this one out!

Kirchen's guitar and musical sensibility (not to mention, sense of humor) first flowered in the late-60s ranks of Commander Cody's Lost Planet Airmen. The band's hippie-country-trucker vibe combined counterculture sentiment with sharply played country, rock and boogie-woogie tunes. Since the Airmen's demise in 1976, Kirchen has played with Nick Lowe, Link Wray and Gene Vincent, recorded as part of The Moonlighters, and, more recently, as a solo artist.

His latest, featuring a band anchored by touring partners, bassist Johnny Castle and drummer Jack O'Dell, is a perfect example of his work. He invokes the 'dieselbilly' eclecticism that fueled the Airmen's earliest records with a vitality that's untouched by nostalgic hangover. The apocalyptic "Truck Stop at the End of the World," penned with Commander Cody in the mid-80s, drives lead, with a loving rendition of the Red Simpson's "Roll Truck Roll" and several new tunes filling out the convoy. "Hillbilly Truck Drivin' Man" cruises the interstates with Elvis on the dash and Bill Mack on the radio, while "Tied to the Wheel" reflects on the difficulties of a life that's literally lived on the road. Kirchen stretches out on the frets for "Poultry in Motion," and ex-Airmen Bobby Black contributes terrific steel guitar on several tracks.

A pair of titles from Blackie Farrell (who penned "Mama Hated Diesels" for the Airmen in 1972) and covers of Joe Maphis' "Dim Lights, Thick Smoke," Tommy Collins' (by way of Merle Haggard) "Prison Band," and Dylan's "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" fill out a superbly crafted album.

I love this CD! If you are into twangy, truckdriven, cattlepushin' music, then I recommend this great CD. The title song tied to the wheel is truck-drivers lament to bring a tear to your eye. Bill Kirchen is a great musician and song writer, and along with Jack O'Dell and Johnny Castle they form a great band, deserving of much more recognition than they receive. Buy this one and "Raise a Ruckus" Too.

A few years ago, I was at Musikfest, in Bethlehem, PA, and I happened across Bill Kirchen. I was actually walking by the stage on my way home, and I heard the twang-rock coming from a near-by stage, and I just had to stop and listen. I was so impressed by the performance that I bought this CD (and got Kirchen to sign it!).
If you like Rock, Country, Country-Rock, Bluegrass or any kinda of toe-tapping music with a twang to it (Kirchen calls it "Dieselbilly"), this album is for you. It's Kirchen's ode to the Truck-driving man who's always 'tied to the wheel.' This album hearkens back to his days with Commander Cody, and is music from his roots.
Featured on this CD are Johnny Castle (vocals), Jack O'Dell (drums), Bobby Black (steel guitar), Tommy Detamore (steel guitar), Austin De Lone (piano, vibes), Blackie Farrell (rhythm guitar), Peter Bonta (acoustic guitar), Jeff Covert (acoustic guitar), and Dudley Connell (vocals).
Some highlights of this album are "Truck Stop at the End of the World," which is a lost-song from his Commander Cody days, co-written by Cody (George Frayne). This song is a twangin' good time! "One more Hour of Blues," written by Blackie Farrell, is a country-rock song that'll make you tap your toes. And Bob Dylan classic "Tom Thumb's Blues" is a great recreation, something Dylan would be proud of.
Sit back in your rockin' chair and let the country-rock-twang relax you!

i started listening to commander cody in the 70's when they were the warm up band for the starship and i just saw bill's band on sunday night in whippany nj.he is as dynamic a guitar player and vocalist now as he was then. the guy rocks.the sounds he gets out of that guitar have you on the edge of your seat! don't miss an opportunity to see bill's band.you will be blown away!! this cd is one of many must haves in his collection during the post cody years. thank you bill kirchen!!